In Remembrance: Anthony Minghella

     Anthony Minghella, the Academy Award winning director of The English Patient, has passed away on March 18, 2008 in London, England. He was 54.

     Born on the Isle of Wight on January 6, 1954, Minghella was a graduate of the University of Hull. Although he taught briefly, he left academia to pursue a career as a playwright. In addition to writing for the stage, he also wrote for the British Broadcasting Company, which led to him directing his first film, Truly, Madly, Deeply. Originally set to premier on the BBC as part of an anthology series, it was decided to be given a theatrical release. He followed it up with the comedy Mr. Wonderful.

     It was with his next film, The English Patient, that Minghella would make his biggest impact. Based on the novel by Michael Ondaatje, the World War II romantic epic would win nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Juliette Binoche and Minghella’s best director trophy. He was also nominated for an Oscar for penning the adaptation of the novel The Talented Mr. Ripley in 1999.

     His 2003 Civil War drama Cold Mountain would earn a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Renee Zellweger. From 2003 until recently, he served as chairman of the British Film Institute.

     Minghella had recently completed a television movie adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith’s The No 1. Ladies’ Detective Agency for the BBC. HBO had recently commissioned a 13-episode television series based on the production.